Living in a tropical city, most of us would have been bitten by mosquitoes throughout our lifetime and no matter how high off the ground you lived in, these annoying mosquitoes can still breed and find their way to your warm bodies to draw blood and transmit diseases.
What bothers me the most is getting mosquito bites at night which disturbs my sleep. Worse still, these seemingly tiny mosquitoes can often be carriers of life-threatening diseases like Malaria, Zika and Dengue.
This is not an exaggeration, this tiny insect called mosquito has killed more people in one day than sharks over the last 100 years.
So I wonder if getting anti-mosquito plants help to keep these annoying blood-suckers at bay. However, do note that if you’re not emptying the water containers or the gardening water sprayer regularly they can become a prime spot for the mozzies to breed. These pesky bugs love stagnant water because that’s where they start laying eggs and multiply in less than two weeks! Now you know why National Environment Agency of Singapore is imposing hefty fines on households found with mosquito breeding habitats at home.
4 Easy to Grow Mosquito-Repelling Plants
1. Basil
A versatile herb, Basil gives us delicious pesto sauce and tasty stir-fry recipes, it can also drive the mosquitoes away. Basil naturally emits a strong aroma that is poisonous to mosquito larvae, you can place it near standing water to deter mosquitoes from laying eggs.
Tip: Consider planting your own Basil with this basic starter kit.
2. Citronella
Although Citronella grass can sometimes be mistaken as lemongrass, they are in fact, two different plants, with similar look and fragrance. Think of them as cousins. Both plants contain citronella oil, the most popular natural ingredient used to make insect repellent products.
What you usually find on the supermarket shelves are products formulated with high concentration level of citronella oil extract which makes it work effectively to keep the mozzies away. Please do not, literally, plant dozens of citronella in your house because instead of driving away the mosquitoes, you might end up creating a breeding ground for them.
As far as efficacy is concerned, once you snip the leaves, crush them and put it in a herb pouch, the scent does work to keep the mosquitoes away but not for a long time.
Word of advice from my grandparents: Having a citronella plant is not 100% prevention, you’ll still need a citronella balm and the mosquito repellent spray to keep the mosquitoes away from you.
Shop Citronella Balm and Mosquitoes Repellent Products Here.
3. Marigolds
Not sure if your grandparents ever told you that mosquitoes are drawn to dark coloured materials such as black sofas, dark blue curtains, maroon t-shirt. This is not a myth, the mosquitoes have excellent vision.
Based on a study published by researchers from the California Institute of Technology, mosquitoes can see their hosts from about 16-32 feet away. Mosquitoes actually have two types of eyes: two compound eyes on the sides of their heads and photosensitive eyes, called ocelli, on the tops of their heads. The large compound eyes are covered in individual lenses called ommatidia, detecting motion and allowing the insect to see in multiple directions. The ocelli help the insect detect changes in light.
Interestingly enough, a particular bright flower named Marigold is said to be the most beautiful mosquito repellent. Despite its vivid orange appearance, Marigolds emit a unique aroma that deters insects including mosquitoes. It contains Pyrethrum, which is also known as nature’s insecticide. Marigolds are hardy annual plants that are usually grown alongside tomatoes and vegetable gardens to keep the bugs away.
Marigolds require plenty of sunlight so it’s best that you place it near the balcony.
4. Spearmint
Spearmint is a medicinal herb with a refreshing aroma that repels the mosquitoes and other pests. If you use essential oils, you will know that spearmint is a popular ingredient for homemade mosquito repellent sprays. You can crush the leaves and put it in a herb pouch, but the scent doesn’t last long, you will have to replenish it regularly. Spearmint is also known for its healing properties for the body and mind. A cup of spearmint tea can also invigorate your mind as well as relieve your tummy upset and ease nausea.
The plants mentioned above work well in the living room, kitchen and balcony. To protect yourself from mosquitoes while you sleep, consider using mosquito-repellent stick-on patch if you’re not a fan of DIY herb bags. Alternatively, use the Sawaday Mos-Bye Mosquito Repellent Air Freshener to infuse your room with the earthy floral scent of lavender that works to keep the mosquitoes away and soothe your mind to sleep.
